All four major southern pines can be killed by the southern pine beetle, but loblolly and shortleaf are much more susceptible than longleaf and slash. Oleoresin from more than 50 trees of each species was tested for composition and amount of monoterpenes and resin acids, viscosity, flow (rate, duration, and amount), and rate of crystallization. Discriminant function analyses were used to classify the loblolly and shortleaf trees as to probable resistance. The best classification used physical properties (total flow, flow rate, viscosity, time to crystallization). Supposedly resistant and susceptible trees were subjected to controlled attack, and the chemical and physical properties of four loblolly pines that survived natural attack were measured. Resistance is strongly related to the physical properties of the oleoresin, and can be predicted by these properties. Loblolly and shortleaf trees with “average” properties usually succumb to 100 or more attacks per sq. m of bark surface. Several trees classified as resistant survived a much higher rate of attack.
Development of even-aged mixed cherrybark oak (Quercusfalcata var. pagodifolia Ell.) and sweet gum (Liquidambarstyraciflua L.) stands was examined over a range of stand densities and ages in minor river bottoms of central Mississippi, U.S.A. Two stand development patterns were documented based on average spacing between dominant and codominant trees during the pole stage of development: a "restricted" pattern and an "unrestricted" pattern. The restricted pattern occurred at average spacings of less than 5.5 m. Here cherrybark oak was initially shorter than sweet gum but was able to outgrow and stratify above sweet gum when the stand was 20 to 25 years of age. Dominant and codominant cherrybark oaks averaged 61 cm in diameter, 34 m in height, and had 15 m of merchantable height at 58 years. The unrestricted pattern was found where cherrybark oak was either a few years older than sweet gum or was essentially open grown, with dominant and codominant trees of either species being more than 5.5 m apart. The unrestricted pattern resulted in cherrybark oak attaining less than 8 m of clear merchantable length and diameters of 56 cm in 40 years. The spacing of interacting trees appears to be responsible for the differences between the two development patterns in the timing and rate of cherrybark oak crown expansion, diameter growth, and length of the merchantable bole.
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